Protective cover for preventing germ contamination

ABSTRACT

A system for preventing infection of toilet tissue by germs emanating from flushing of toilets comprises a toilet tissue dispenser and a container enclosure enclosing the toilet tissue dispenser. The enclosure, when in a closed position, completely coves the toilet tissue dispenser. A system for preventing infection of toothbrushes by germs emanating from flushing of toilets comprises a toothbrush that including a toothbrush head and a container enclosure enclosing the toothbrush head and completely covering the toothbrush head.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to control and preventing spread of germsand viruses caused by flushing toilets.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Recently, the public has become increasingly focused on illnesses causedby spread of bacteria between people in homes and in public places suchas offices and public sanitation places such as public restrooms.

A relatively unknown and little noticed, yet significant medium forspreading disease causing germs and bacteria is household toilets.Specifically, each time toilets are flushed they cause disease causinggerms, bacteria and viruses to spread to toilet papers and toothbrushesthat are typically located in the vicinity of the toilet.

Many studies have confirmed that germ and virus “plumes” form and spreadwith every open flush. These germs were found on the sides of thetoilet, on the top, and on the floor.

Even when the toilet wasn't in use. In other words, even an unoccupied,open bowl can spread disease causing bacteria and viruses.

For example, a 1975 study by Charles P. Gerba, published in the Journalof Applied Microbiology confirms this. Dr. Gerba seeded householdtoilets with disease germs and then tested to see if they survived afterflushing. The study concluded that “there is a possibility that a personmay acquire an infection from an aerosol produced by a toilet.”

Another problem is the significant persistent population of bacteria andviruses that can “seed into” household toilets and resist cleaning. Thispersistent presence is caused by accumulation of the organisms to theporcelain surfaces of the bowl, which accumulate over time and can onlybe removed through deep cleaning of the toilet bowl. The resulting plumefrom a toilet flush can remain airborne long enough to settle on surfacethroughout the bathroom give rise to the potential that a person mayacquire an infection from an aerosol produced by a toilet.

Toilet tissue and toothbrushes are commonly present in the vicinity oftoilets and are therefore among the most commonly infected items fromthe flushing of toilets. There is therefore the need to addresspotential spread of illnesses caused by disease causing germs andviruses that infect paper tissue and toothbrushes resulting fromflushing of toilets.

Conventional toilet tissue protective covers have mostly focused on theaesthetic and mechanical aspects, such as construction, set up,structure, durability, material, reliability, long life, mounting andthe like. As such, they are cumbersome and not suitable to address theabove-discussed problem.

Likewise, toothbrush protective and sanitary covers have addressedissues such as keeping toothbrushes from touching, holding them in placeand within users' reach, aesthetic appearance and mechanicalinstallation and set up. As such, they are cumbersome and not suitableto address the above-discussed problem.

None of the prior art devices specifically focus on, disclose or suggesta practical system that effectively deals with prevention and spread ofdisease causing germs and viruses from plumes resulting from toiletflushes.

There is therefore a need for an effective, inexpensive and practicalprotection system that addresses the hygienic aspects related to thespread of disease causing germs and viruses that are sourced in flushingof toilets and particularly likely to spread through contamination oftoilet tissue and tooth brushes.

SUMMARY OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention addresses the above noted deficiencies of theprior art by providing for an effective and practical protection systemfor preventing spread of disease causing bacteria and viruses throughtoilet tissue and tooth brushes.

The inventive cover for the toilet tissue is a disposable thin plasticbag that has an opening on the top, is closed at the bottom and isperforated on the sides to allow passage of tissue a solid cylindricalrod (dowel) through the tissue roll. The dowel can be made of anysuitable material such as wood, plastic, or metal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the toilet tissue cover according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the toothbrush cover according to anembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be describedin detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a container closure 1, covering a toilet tissue roll 6supported by a dowel 7 that is used to keep the roll attached to itsbracket (not shown). The toilet tissue roll is typically installed on aselected area on the wall (not shown) that is preferably 24 to 26 inchesabove the floor and 8 to 12 inches in front of the toilet seat. Otheroptions include locations that are slightly to the left or the right,top or bottom of the preferred location.

In another embodiment the toilet tissue is placed on a modularfreestanding holder (not shown), which provides more flexibility forchanges in location since freestanding holders can be easily moved toanother location without having to drill holes in the walls.

Container enclosure 1 can be of any suitable shape. In one embodiment,the enclosure is shaped as a plastic bag used to store food and isrectangular shaped possessing a bottom edge 2, side edges 3 and 4 and atop edge 5. In one embodiment, bottom edge 2 is closed and side edges 3,4 and top edge 5 include mouths that can open and close with the aid offlaps that run the entire inside width of the enclosure on eachcorresponding side (3 a, 3 b, 4 a, 4 b and 5 a, 5 b).

In a closed position, side edges 3 and 4 include openings 3 c and 4 c intheir middle portion to accommodate the dowel 7 passing through it.Flaps 3 a, 3 b, 4 a, 4 b, 5 a and 5 b each include a mechanism foraffecting a seal when the lips are together. Preferably, the sealingmechanism along each flap is effected by a magnet covering the surfacessuch that, except for the openings along the edges to accommodate thedowel 3 c and 4 c, the mouth and the edges automatically close when inproximity to each other.

Another option is to have an elongated slidable closure strip, whichcooperates with the sealing lips 3 a, 3 b, 4 a, 4 b and 5 a and 5 b hasa pair of depending flanges spaced apart and positioned to compress thelips together along their full length when the closure strip is slidlongitudinally over the lips. Still another option is to have a lockingmechanism along the flaps where closure of the sides and the mouth areaffected by pressing the edges together.

Preferably, dowel openings in the side edges (3 c and 4 c) includes adrawstring (not shown), which is a string, cord, or rope used to drawand tighten or close the openings 3 c and 4 c to avoid or minimizechance of contamination of the toilet tissue by the plume of germs orviruses emanating from flushing the toilet.

The inventive enclosure of the present invention can be made of anysuitable material but preferably light, breathable, disposable plastictype material that can be easily, efficiently and inexpensively used.

FIG. 2 shows a plastic covering 12 for protecting toothbrush 10 fromcontamination by toilet germs and viruses.

The covering 12 is preferably closed on all sides, except for an open“mouth” side 13 that fits over the toothbrush heads 11 and, preferably,extends a short distance past the head 11 onto the toothbrush handle.

Preferably, the covering is made of light, thin, breathable plastic typematerial.

Preferably, the mouth 13 includes a drawstring 14, which is a string,cord, or rope that can be used to draw and tighten or tie closed theopening in the mouth 13 to avoid or minimize chance of contamination ofthe toothbrush head 11 by the plume of germs or viruses emanating fromflushing the toilet.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for preventing spread of germs andviruses caused by contamination of toilet tissue by germs and virusesemanating from flushing of toilets, comprising: A toilet tissuedispenser; A container enclosure enclosing the toilet tissue dispenser;wherein the enclosure, when in a closed position, completely coves thetoilet tissue dispenser.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the toilettissue dispenser is a toilet tissue roll and wherein each of the sideedges of the enclosure include an opening to accommodate a toilet rolldowel passing through the enclosure.
 3. The system of claim 1 whereinthe enclosure comprises a bottom edge, two side edges and a top edge,wherein the bottom edge is closed, and each of the side edges and thetop edge can be in an open position or a closed position; wherein, eachof the side edges and the top edge in an open position comprises twoflaps that run along the entire width of the corresponding front andback side of the enclosure; i. wherein each of flaps is covered by aclosure mechanism so that the side edges and top edge close when thecorresponding flaps are pressed against each other.
 4. The system ofclaim 4 wherein the closure mechanism is the flap surfaces covered by amaterial with magnetic properties such that the side edges and top edgeautomatically close when the corresponding flaps are in close proximityto each other.
 5. The system of claim 3 wherein the opening includes adrawstring to close the opening.
 6. A system for preventing infection oftoothbrushes by germs emanating from flushing of toilets, comprising: Atoothbrush including a toothbrush head; A container enclosure enclosingthe toothbrush head, wherein the enclosure, completely covers thetoothbrush head.
 7. The system of any of claims 1 to 6, wherein theenclosure is made of breathable material.